I Trust When Dark My Road

Below is a PDF file of the slideshow from the Deaconess Conference, as well as a QuickTime movie of the same.  I have not posted the actual slideshow file, since I will probably use portions of it in the future.  If for some reason you would like access to the actual Keynote or PowerPoint file, please contact me via email or telephone. Thanks! -DMR

Presentation on Depression for CDC

Presentation of Slides in QuickTime for CDC

I Trust When Dark My Road: A Lutheran View of Depression first went into print last June. All of the copies from the first printing were taken before it even entered the building at LCMS World Relief and Human Care. The book has touched many lives with the Gospel, and I believe has served as a great opportunity for pastoral care to many people.

So after a six month hiatus, we are back in print! Thanks be to God.

The book is free, just as it was before. They are, however, charging a small amount for shipping. I’m very glad to hear this, as it will allow them to keep their costs lower and to make more of them available in the long run.

So what can you do to help spread the word about this free resource? Here are a few ideas:

• Tell people either by email or in person. You can send them to my web site and I will have the easy link setup in a prominent place.
• Write a review of the book on your blog, web site, or even in your church newsletter.
• Review it or at least rate it on one of the several online review places. Here are a few of them: Goodreads, LibraryThing, Google Books, or anyplace is that you may review it.
• Ask your church secretary to put a notice in your church bulletin about the availability of the book. Here’s a sample bulletin insert:
  

  Are you trapped in the fog of depression? Do you know someone you love who suffers from depression or anxiety? I Trust When Dark My Road: A Lutheran View of Depression is now available at no charge from LCMS World Relief and Human Care. Call (888) 843-5267 to order your free copy, or go to the web site darkmyroad.org for more information.

• Show this to your pastor, and encourage him to order up to five free copies for pastoral care and use at the congregation.

Thanks for all your help and support, friends! God is merciful, and He continues to bring healing and hope to His hurting children.

Pastor Todd Peperkorn
I Trust When Dark My Road: A Lutheran View of Depression

I recently had an episcopal priest recommend NAMI and Mental Health Ministries to me, and specifically to look into the following document they have available:

Mental Illness and Families of Faith: How Congregations Can Respond
Resource/Study Guide for Clergy and Communities of Faith

I haven’t read it list, but I’m putting it in my reading list for soon.  Is anyone familiar with this organization?  How would their goals line up with faithful Lutheranism?

-DMR

THIS IS THE LINK to my interview on WGTD 91.1 in Kenosha. It’s a nice 50 minute interview about depression, spring-boarding from the book. Enjoy!

-DMR

So what should the next book be about?

My wife and I had the pleasure of attending the last session in the DOXOLOGY training seminar this past weekend. The main speaker was Dr. John Kleinig from Australia, an incredible scholar and pastor whose insight into human nature and Christ’s ministry to us sinner is, well, just amazing.

We had dinner with him one night. He gets depression, understands it as well as anyone I know I’d say. The one thing that he suggested to me was to write a book about what it is like living with depression on a day to day basis. How does one recognize the signs? How does it impact your prayer life, your ministry to others, etc?

I’m letting the idea percolate right now, but I would like some insight from you. What would be the most helpful to you and why?

-DMR

Mr. Greg Berg has a wonderful talk show program in Kenosha called The Morning Show. It’s a great program that I enjoy listening to quite often.

This coming Wednesday, Sept. 16, I will be his guest on the program. We’re going to be talking about the book, I Trust When Dark My Road, how this impacts pastors and laity, and what family and friends can do to help. I think it will be lots of fun.

If you live in the area, please make a point of trying to tune in to 91.1 at 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16. They also have it available in both low and high bandwidth online live. CLICK HERE and look in the top right corner.

They have archives and will have it available online after the fact, and I will also post a link to it then.

Let me know if you heard it!

-DMR

Friends,

As many of you know, the book has gone extremely well thus far.  So well, in fact, that they are already out of print!  We were able to offer them at no charge thanks to the generosity of LCMS World Relief & Human Care.

This brings me to my plea.  Every box or book that went out included a donation envelope.  They are currently trying to figure out how to do a second printing, but I expect it will come down in part to dollars and cents.

If you received a copy of the book and found it of benefit, I would ask you to consider making a donation to LCMS World Relief.  You can send it and ask if they would consider reprinting it.  I know that everyone want to do so, but finances are tight everywhere right now.  Obviously I am biased, but I believe that a copy of this book ought to be sent to every pastor in the LCMS, or at least every circuit counselor.  But to do this will cost several thousand dollars.

I’ll keep you all informed as I learn more.  Thanks again to the good people at LCMS World Relief and Human Care for making this resource available!

-Pastor Todd Peperkorn

This is the ad that is appearing in various publications this summer. I think it’s nicely done, and gets at the heart of what it’s a bout pretty clearly. Let me know when you see it in print and where!

-DMR

Has anyone seen the print edition of the book yet?  If so, please comment here and let us know.  Thanks!

-DMR

Has anyone seen the print edition of the book yet?  If so, please comment here and let us know.  Thanks!

-DMR